Clutch.



PATENTED APR. 24, 1906.

R. S. KASSON.

CLUTCH.

APPLIUATION YILBD JAN.15. 1906.

W/TNESSES,

Arr'ofmfys UNTTED STATES AIATENT OFFCE.

CLUTCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

Application filed Jannay 15, 1906. Serial No. 296.07 7.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, RUTGERS STAGG KAS- SON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilmin ton, in the county of Newcastle and State o Delaware, have invented a new and Im roved Clutch, of which the following is a fiill,"l clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to clutches.

The object of the invention is to produce a clutch which is so constructed as to enable the force transmitted to be very accurately adjusted.

The invention is applicable inmany connections.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

.Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures.

Figure 1 is a lon itudinal section through a clutch constructe according to this invention, and Fi 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2 2 o Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents a case or barrel which has preferably a conical bore, as shown, presenting a 'bore 10 of the case. 'with res ect to the diameter of the shaft 7, so that a c iamber is formed in which a helical `Washer 12, which lies hub 2 atits reduced extremity and a flange 3 at its enlarged extremity. At its large end this case is preferably made with a cylindrical counterbore 4, so that an annular shoulder 5 is presented. The hub 2 is formed with a bore 6, through which passes loosely a shaft 7. This shaft passes into the interior of the case and carries rigidly a cone 8. The.

hub 2 is provided on its inner side with a.

bore 9, which communicates with the conical This bore 9 is enlarged spring 11 is placed, as shown. This spring t rusts at its outer extremity against the hub 2, and against its inner extremity I set a a ainst the inner extremity of the cone 8. The cone 8 conforms closely to the shape of the interior of the case 1, having a conical body with a cylindrical base or shoulder 14, said shoulder being received in the counterbore 4 and resting adj acent to or against the annular face or shoulder 5, referred to above.

Against the inner or end face 15 of the case l attach a diaphragm 16, which is held in position by means of screw-bolts 17, as indicated, the same passing through a keeper or ring 18 and a cover 19 of circular form, which is placed beyond the rin as shown. vThe face 20 of the ring, which ies adjacent to the diaphragm, is preferably beveled or inclined, as indicated. The ring 18 constitutes a distance-piece between the cover and the diaphragm, so that a chainber21 is formed therebetween. I provide means for introducing into this chamber a fluid, such as water. For this purpose I provide the cover 19 with a hub 22, which is provided with a bore 23, communicating with a corresponding bore in a hollow shaft 24. It should be understood that the'inner end face 25 of the cone 8 lies substantially against the diaphragm 16, and, further, that the cover 19 is rigid with the hollow shaft 24.

With the construction described it should then be understood that the shafts 7 and 24 may rotate independently of each other, it being understood, of course, that the cover 19, together with the case 1, will rotate with the shaft 24. lhen it is desired to apply the clutch, a suitable fluid is admitted through the hollow shaft 24 and the bore 23 into the chamber 21, producing a pressure upon the diaphragm 16, exerted in the direction of the cone 8. In this way the diaphragm 16 comes against the face 25 of the cone and seats the cone 8 firmly upon the case 1. In this way a very considerable fi'ictional re,- sistance is developed, which affords means for rotating the cone 8 and the shaft 7 with the shaft 24. The degree of force with which the cone 8 is held against the cover 1 may be very accurately ecrit-rolled by the pressure 9 of the fluid admitted into the chamber. 21. 5

IIO

the chamber 21 applies itself to a greater area upon the diaphragm and more movement is allowed the diaphragm.

Having thus described my invention, i

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. in a clutch, in combination, a case pre senting a substantially conical bore, a cone mounted in said conical here, shaft rigidly attached to said cone, a diaphragm attached to said case and lying adjacent to the end of said cone, andmeans for applying flnidpressure to said diaphragm.

2. ln a clutch, in combination, a case hair-k ing a substantially conical bore, a cone mounted therein, a shaft rigid with said cone, a

.diaphragm attached to s aidicase and lying* adjacent to theace of said cone', means for applyinga iiuidpressure to said diaphragm, and means for normally maintaining said cone out of engagement with said case.

' 3. In a clutch, in combination, a case having a substantially conical bore and a cham'- ber at the small extremity thereof, a cone .mounted in said bore, a shaft rigid therewith,

a spring within said chamber tending to holdsaid cone out of contact with said case, av

diaphragm attached to said case and lying adjacent to the large end ofsaid cone, ,and

means `for Aapplying fluid-pressure to said diaphragm.'

4. la a clutch, in combination, a case having a substantially conical bore, a cone mounted Within said case, a shaft rigid with said cone, a diaphragm attached to said case and lying adiacentto said cone. a cover for said arance 'case and `forming a chamber on the side of said diaphragm remote from said cone, and.

means `for admitting timid to said chamber.

ing a substantiaiiy ccnicai 1ocre, a cone mounted in said bore, 'a shaft rigid with Said cone, a cover for said oase, a diaphragm between said cover and said cone, a ring between said diaphragm and said cover and 'forming a chamber, and means for admitting a fluid to said chamber through said cover'.

' 6. In a clutch,'ii'icombination, a case hav inga substantiailyf'conical bore and a. hub' at the reduced extremity thereof, said hub having a bore therethrough, a shaft passing through said last bore, a cone rigid Withsaid' shaft and lying Within said case, said hub RUTGERS STAGG KASSON.

Witnesses J. N. Wmonr'r, Errani. M. DnArnR 5 in a clutch, in combination, a case hav- 4o 

